February 2009

February 27, 2009

This morning on NBC's Today Show, the ever-fabulous Stacy London
adeptly answered the question on every fashion-conscious gal's mind
these days..."I need a wardrobe overhaul but I don't want to spend any
money! How do I work with what I've already got??" Stacy always has
the answers and this morning was no exception.
She showed us how to re-vamp and re-work a basic white shirt, a
straight skirt and a simple trouser through of-the-moment trends
including safari, texture and "Hollywood glam."

Of course, an
integral part of freshening up your wardrobe is choosing the right
accessories. The bold and beautiful jewelry of LupRocks.com designer Gabriella Francesca went
a long way towards the "Hollywood glam" look and of course, all of the
looks were complimented by sunglasses from LupRocks.com designer Chinese Laundry.
The best part?? Everything on the segment retails for under $100,
meaning you don't have to be a millionaire to look like a million
bucks! Speaking of looking like a million bucks, Miss London was, as
always, gorgeous!

February 26, 2009

I'm going to keep things nostalgic today by taking another trip down memory lane....or in this case, memory street. That's right, I just want to spend a little time today focusing on one of my all time favorite shows, Sesame Street.

Sometimes life and stress get overwhelming, so maybe this will encourage you to stop for a moment and smell the flowers (er....garbage?). Besides, we all spend so much time on Facebook these days (come on, admit it, you know you do!), and I think we could all learn a great deal in profile writing from my favorite guy, Oscar:

February 25, 2009

LupRocks wasn't built in a day. In fact, we opened the parent company Lup in July of 2002. Oh, the stories we could tell...lucky for all of us, Jessica still has literally thousands of pages of IM sessions saved in her computer. Below is a taste of the early days, when we were working in our pj's out of our respective apartments in Brooklyn, my only form of sustenance was cheese croissants from the delicious Italian bakery on the corner, and our original entrepreneurial spirit was unblemished by the stress of owning a company:

Session Start (AIM - luprocks:michiao): Wed Nov 06 17:02:45 2002luprocks: What I really can't believe is that we have this company. Did you see our invites? We are so f'ing professional!michiao: I LOVE it!!!!!luprocks: Have you seen our letterhead & biz cards. It's really exciting!!!michiao: Can you f'ing believe it????michiao: SO EXCITING!michiao: it's the craziest thing EVER!michiao: how do WE have a company????michiao: tee-heeluprocks: I have no f'ing idea Michelle. I think it's just starting to hit me again. It's like everyday I fall back in love with our company. It's the GREATEST thing I've ever done!!!luprocks: Thank you!michiao: NO, thank YOU!michiao: :-)michiao: You make me smile!

luprocks: No, I do!

michiao: NO!

Here's the invitation that we were talking about as well as the schedule of events for the night of our launch party, which had a huge turn-out! See how we got our entire families to work for us that night?? And you know, they'd do it again in a heart beat, I'm sure of it!

February 24, 2009

Waaaay back in December we posted an entry about holiday greeting cards, giving our assessment of what we liked in a holiday card and what we didn't like. Clearly, we LOVE candy as greeting but we still love the Lup Libs we sent out best. Of course, we didn't get the response we'd hoped for; a lot of "cute card" and "I love this!" but very few people sent it back. Of those that did, I liked the below response best. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm slightly biased since it was a group effort that included my now 6 year old niece, but I think you'll agree, it's a riot. Words in bold are their contribution:

Once upon a time, a Ukrainian and an Irish took a trip to "Big Love" to show some jewelry to Vera Wang. She wasn't very squirrel to them, and sent them out without a second glance; calling the jewelry they brought "ediv." Eventually Bill from Big Love, Homer Simpson, ET and Super Nanny saw the jewelry the costume designer had rejected and fell in love. they wore several pieces in each episode and inspired the entrepreneurs to start an Empire State Building called Lup.

The Lup girls soon learned that owning their own company was not all bike and Ferry Wings. It was actually a lot of spatula. But they kept things gay by meeting lots of crazy tight rope walkers (one of the girls even met her rainbow at a diamond conference!) and tons of influential Chiropractors. They continued to place cars on "ER" and began placing jewelry on green films and stinky television shows and in the pages of magazines. They even placed jewelry on a book cover that later turned into an extremely pouty television show called "Gossip Girls."

After nearly two years of doing business, the girls came up with a slop that they knew was gross. They launched a butt. They gathered the best jewelry and accessories proctologists in the world and gave them a forum for showcasing their designs to accountants. In doing this, they made the lives of their beloved media much much easier. And because it was such a success, they soon decided to offer this wild resource to designers of apparel, children's wear, home wear and beauty.

Wishing you the same matzo ball soup and spaghetti in 2009 that Lup has experienced in the past 6+ years!

February 23, 2009

Since we know you go to more reliable sources for your official post-Oscar's coverage, I'm just going to put forth some of the observations about the show itself, the dresses, the attitudes, and of course, the jewelry, that were floating around a bleary-eyed Lup H.Q. this afternoon:

Penelope Cruz--my God she looked fabulous! Hair was classic, face wasn't overly made-up and more radiant and gorgeous than ever, and even though the jewels were boring (Chopard), I was almost glad that there was nothing to distract from her dress, a vintage Balmain over 60 years old.

Sarah Jessica Parker--We're generally big fans of SJP's red carpet looks, and last night was no exception. While we really wish her breasts hadn't been so prominently on display in her Dior Haute Couture gown (was that really necessary?), the fact that it had a belt almost redemed the bulbous effect of being so wedged in there.

Kate Winslet--That classic/futuristic hair, the elegance of the two-tone Atelier Yves Saint Laurent gown, the one-shoulder look that is so well-suited to her body, graciousness in every interview....she would have been a winner no matter what the outcome of the awards!

Anne Hathaway--Another adopter of the light-is-right trend, Ann looked stunning in her Armani Prive gown and vintage Cartier jewelry. Of everyone on the red carpet however, I was wondering how the h*#! she could walk in that dress, it was like a narrow tube. Her smile was, as usual, radiant enough to take away my vicarious discomfort.

Marisa Tomei--I've always had such a soft spot for Ms. Tomei, and the fact that I re-watched "My Cousin Vinny" on Saturday didn't hurt that cooing sensation of love I felt when I saw her in her silvery Atelier Versace gown. The train looked impossible to manage and the overall effect was perhaps too complicated for my taste, but hey, she's still a knock-out.

Diane Lane--Speaking of knock-outs, Diane Lane is so f'ing hot I can't stand it! The fact that she was clearly there reveling in her husband, Josh Brolin's nomination made her that much more endearing. I know it's old fashioned, but I like a gal that'll stand by her man and not make the show entirely about HER.

Viola Davis--While she might not have made anyone's fashion radar, I couldn't help but notice that her husband needed to GET OFF HER GRILL! I can't find any videos of her online, but I swear, her husband was the definition of "smothering" in every interview that I saw. I know he's excited, but give the girl her night!

Beyonce--To some (meaning, anyone of the male persuasion) Beyonce can do no wrong. And while I will say that she can get away with fashion calls that most people can't, all I can say about that House of Dereon dress she rocked last night was...BOO!

Jessica Biel--Speaking of BOO....yet another gal who can do no wrong in the eyes of most men (and many famale admirers), Ms. Biel's Prada monstrosity was not at all flattering to her figure and the choice of black shoes caught everyone I know off-guard. Her face however, was gorgeous as per usual.

Amy Adams--Since I'm being mean, Amy Adams? She had what my sister so eloquently called a "back butt." Her face is so cute and her hair was simple and elegant, but the rest of her? Well, it just didn't work.

Angelina Jolie--Speaking of mean....could she maybe, just maybe crack a smile or deign to talk to a reporter?? I know they're "above it all" and everything, but if you really didn't want to be bothered, why not pull a Steve Martin/Nicole Kidman and avoid the red carpet all together?? Why walk the carpet and then just blow past everyone who wants to speak to you? On the other hand, she's just a knock out and that can't be helped, and while there've been some grumblings about her "day glo" jewelry in the blogosphere today, I just love me some big ole emeralds! Go Lorraine Schwartz!

Sophia Loren--An original "dame" Miss Loren was what they call a Hot Mess last night and God, do I love her!

Slumdog Millionaire--The entire cast and crew rockin' the red carpet were adorable! I'm in love! Angie and Brad could take a lesson in gratitude and graciousness from the five year old beaming ear-to-ear during his stint on the red carpet.

February 20, 2009

We always love it when our instincts are right, and right they were when we chose to partner with Nolcha Network! Last night they held an event at the famed Plaza Hotel here in New York City in celebration of fashion week. Seven designers were on board at the event, including LupRock.com's own Bettylou Jewels, who introduced a new collection of "Spirit Collection" pendants in onyx and agate with rose gold and diamonds that we absolutely LOVE! Alongside Bettylou Jewels were accessories designers Barbara Sears Nelson and EnaMaria, and women’s clothing designers emeDesigns, Nadia Nour, Vaughn Jereaux and Celestino by Sergio Guadarrama.

Like any great fashion event, the crowd was beautiful, the liquor was flowing, the models were glowing, the cameras were rolling, the flash bulbs were flashing and, most importantly, business was being done. Kudos to the team over at Nolcha for throwing a fabulous event that everyone was stoked about!

"Leo" pendant from Bettylou Jewels new "Spirit Collection" available for under $200!

February 19, 2009

We here at Lup H.Q. are not immune to critics and movie reviews. We know we've worked on some stinkers in terms of movies (the costumes in those stinkers however, ALWAYS look good!) and we're not afraid to admit that. But we are adamant about the fact that the Pink Panther 2 is hilaaaaaarious, bad reviews be damned! Maybe the fact that I continue to laugh over certain parts of the first Pink Panther with my six year old niece is simply giving some indication as to the level of my sense of humor (I would like to have a hammmmmbuaourgeah!), but Pink Panther 2 did not disappoint with a hilarious helping of slapstick and plain old silly buffoonery. And what, may I ask, is wrong with that?! Oh, sure, the Pink Panther and Steve Martin "purists" out there might say that he's sold out or that the jokes weren't "memorable" but I must protest! I might not remember the particulars of the 2nd one, but I do remember gripping my belly and gasping for air, and on my second or third viewing I'm sure I'll be reciting lines off the cuff like I did with the first one ("I want you to bring me everyone in the city of Paris with the first name 'You'")!

And I suppose it goes without saying, but it must be said....the wardrobes were amaaazing! See here, the gorgeous Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachcham wearing one of Yossi Harari's signature Gilver cuffs.

February 18, 2009

My heart was warmed this morning when I read in WWD that Giorgio Armani donated $1Million to New York City Public Schools at the celebrity studded opening of his new, 43,000 square foot store on Fifth Avenue. As if it wasn't enough that the store will provide untold numbers of jobs to New York City residents, and will, according to Mayor Bloomberg, assure Armani "...a front-row seat in our recovery," Armani felt it was more appropriate to spend his money on bettering our public schools rather than throwing a big dinner for the who's who of the celebrity contingency. Armani's donation will establish the multi-year Armani Arts Institute umbrella program, supporting arts programs in public schools in under-served neighborhoods, with a specific emphasis on the Bronx. Apparently, Armani even took a trip on the subway to the Bronx, a site I would have LOVED to have seen for the mere reason that I want to give the man a big hug!

February 17, 2009

I'm not even going to pretend that I'm an authority on the good the bad and the ugly when it comes to fashion week, but I do know what I like and what I don't like, and I'm definitely loving the fact that smaller, under the radar designers like Jason Wu (well, he was under the radar until his inaugural coups anyway), Chadwick Bell, Prabal Gurung and Bensoni are getting rave reviews this season. Wu in particular showcased a feminine and whimsical collection and, best of all, he didn't skimp on accessorizing, something that is near and dear to all of the hearts here at Lup H.Q.!

Jason Wu Image: NYMag.com

We were also excited to learn in today's WWD that many independent jewelry designers, including LupRocks own Kara Ross and Alexis Bittar, are taking part in the fashion week festivities by collaborating with various clothing designers.

While I'm wary of making this next statement, because I fear the fashion gods are going to strike me down with lightening, since my absolute favorite part of fashion week is reading the cleverly snarky and always hilarious reports from the Fug girls on NYMag.com, I'm just going to say what everyone I know is thinking....WHAT WAS MARC JACOBS THINKING??? I'm sure there is some profound "ism" that he's somehow channeling that I'm too dense to understand, so please enlighten me if you can!

February 13, 2009

While I could come up with some special, red-infused, literal or gross interpretation of a Valentine's Weekend cocktail send-off (Alabama Slammer, anyone?), I'm instead going to give you a real love version of the Valentine's Day cocktail. Love in that I love to drink it, and love in that someone who really loves me came up with this cocktail especially for me! I think it might have been born of necessity--not enough club soda so we had to improvise maybe? Anyway, while it's sort of a vodka version of a Tom Collins, I love this drink and will now name it, in honor of Valentine's Day, the Love Cocktail:

Love Cocktail

In high ball glass with ice pour:3 count's vodkaJuice from half of a lime1/2 teaspoon sugar